As the seasons change in Charleston, South Carolina, you may notice a steady increase in your heating and cooling bills. Spending a fortune on utilities is never fun, but you can combat the increase by keeping up on important HVAC maintenance tasks.

Seal the Leaks

Leaks and gaps throughout your home can waste a lot of energy. If you have a chimney connected to your fireplace, keep the flue closed anytime it’s not in use to prevent heated and cooled air from seeping out. You may also have gaps in your ducts, which can allow the air from the HVAC system to leak. Damaged ducts can account for substantial energy waste, so bring in a technician to take a look. Look for gaps around the windows and doors and seal those to improve efficiency as well.

Regular HVAC Maintenance

When you’re thinking about ways to reduce energy waste, you might not think about regular maintenance of your HVAC system. However, keeping up with this important task at the start of each season can help you save a lot of money on upkeep. During the maintenance and tuneup service, your technician will inspect each component of the system to make sure it’s working properly.

If anything is awry, the technician can fix it right away, heading off the possibility of your heating or cooling system stopping completely. You will also reduce the need for expensive repairs and extend the life of your HVAC by bringing in a professional for maintenance.

Replace Your Unit

When you take steps to improve efficiency but your bills are still on the rise, you may need a new HVAC system. Outdated units can’t compete with the Energy Star certified models that can reduce energy waste substantially. While a new unit will come at a cost, you may qualify for federal and local tax credits when you upgrade to a more efficient system.

The team at M&B Heating and Air is here to help with your HVAC maintenance, repair, and installation needs, so call 843-628-1775.